Fig. 6

TRIB2 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation and enhances cellular senescence in vivo. a Tumor volumes of the TRIB2-knockdown and control groups were calculated every 4 days. b and c Tumor size and weight of the TRIB2-knockdown and control groups. d IHC staining of TRIB2, p53, p21 and Ki-67 in the indicated xenograft tumors. e Quantification of p21 expression, and proliferation index in the indicated xenograft tumors, proliferation index was determined using the percentage of Ki-67 positive cells. The results were presented as mean ± SD, n = 6, * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, t-test. f Proposed model: TRIB2/AP4 interaction enhances binding of AP4 on p21 promoter to negatively regulate p21 expression, which consequently leads to increased cell growth and inhibited cellular senescence in CRC